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Synonyms

return the compliment

Idioms

Also, return the favor. Repay someone in kind, as in Her political opponent came out with a smear campaign, and she returned the compliment. Neither the compliment nor the favor in this idiom is necessarily desirable. [First half of 1700s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It took a long time for the country to return the compliment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

When Grande tried to return the compliment, Eilish quipped back, “This is not about me, ma’am.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2025

If you wish to return the compliment, blink and your cat might blink back.

From Scientific American • Oct. 5, 2022

Prince Charles will return the compliment in a speech he makes at the handover ceremony on Monday evening.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2021

He said: "Come now, Miss Vera Claythorne, aren't you going to return the compliment?"

From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023